ICC(International Cricket Council) has responded to BCCI after the latter urged the world body to not recognize Kashmir Premier League. An ICC spokesperson while talking to Pakistan’s Geo TV said: “The tournament is not under ICC’s jurisdiction as it is not an international cricket tournament.”
According to ICC rules, each national federation shall have the sole and exclusive right to sanction the staging of domestic matches within its territory. The ICC can only intervene if matches are to be held in the territory of an associate member territory.
ICC Replies To BCCI After BCCI Urged The Apex Board Not To Recognize Kashmir Premier League
Earlier BCCI had objected to the tournament as it will be played in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir’s Muzaffarabad which is the heart of a disputed land-a bone of contention between India and Pakistan for years.
The tournament is set to start on August 6 and will see participation from top Pakistan and overseas cricketers like Shahid Afridi, Shoaib Malik, Shoaib Malik, Imad Wasim, Mohammad Hafeez, Kamran Akmal, Shadab Khan, Monty Panesar, Matt Prior, Phil Mustard, Tino Best, Tillakaratne Dilshan, and Herschelle Gibbs.
“The basis of the BCCI’s complaint seems to center around the status of Kashmir as disputed territory – and whether matches can be played in such territories – and its central place in the long-running dispute between the two countries. The status of Kashmir has been the cause of several wars between India and Pakistan from the moment India gained independence and Pakistan was created in 1947. “
“Both countries control parts of the region but govern it separately. Political and diplomatic ties between the two countries have fluctuated over the years, and are currently going through a prolonged low,” ESPN Cricinfo stated in its report.
The tournament is likely to see six teams- Overseas Warriors, Rawalakot Hawks, Muzaffarabad Tigers, Bagh Stallions, Kotli Lions, and Mirpur Royals. Players like Imad Wasim, Mohammad Hafeez, Shahid Afridi, Shadab Khan, Shoaib Malik, Herschelle Gibbs, Monty Panesar, and Kamran Akmal are expected to participate in this league.
Monty Panesar, former England left-arm spinner has decided to pull out of the inaugural Kashmir Premier League (KPL) owing to ‘political tensions between India and Pakistan.’
Herschelle Gibbs Criticize BCCI For Interfering And Trying To Stop Him From Playing Kashmir Premier League
Meanwhile, a number of cricketers including South Africa’s Herschelle Gibbs have alleged that the Indian cricket board is doing everything to dissuade them from joining KPL.
The Pakistan Cricket Board too has lashed out at BCCI: “Such conduct from the BCCI is completely unacceptable, against the preamble of the Spirit of Cricket and sets a dangerous precedence, which can neither be tolerated nor ignored. The PCB will raise this matter at the appropriate International Cricket Council forum and also reserves the right to take any further action that is available to us within the International Cricket Council charter,” read the PCB statement.
Herschelle Gibbs, former South African batsman, and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) were slammed by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) saying the Indian board is well within its rights to take decisions with respect to the cricketing ecosystem in the country.
This response from the BCCI comes on the same day when former Proteas’ batsman Herschelle Gibbs criticized the Indian board for allegedly stopping him to play in the Kashmir Premier League.
Herschelle Gibbs plans to play for the Overseas Warriors in the six-team Kashmir Premier League, which runs from August 6-17 and includes several retired international cricketers. Herschelle Gibbs, one of the accused in the 2000 match-fixing scandal, has signed up to play for KPL franchise Overseas Warriors.